Donald Trump wields the big stick, again

Donald Trump is in a truly bullish mood. He has launched a new tariff war by upping the rates to the countries which have failed to negotiate a trade deal by the deadline of August 1. Just watch them all scampering to broker a last-second deal. Trump has been generous and offered August 7 as the date when the new tariffs will be enforced, giving, I guess, a little leeway for those nations such as Canada which have tried to stand firm against a deal with Trump. Canada will probably come begging. But Canada hasn't helped its cause by announcing that it will recognise Palestine as a state. Trump will hold that against the Canadian leader Mark Carney. Keir Starmer must be feeling relieved that he signed his UK trade deal with Trump before he, too, announced that he would recognise Palestine unless Israel announced a ceasefire in Gaza by September. This man in the White House really has grasped the world by the most sensitive parts and squeezed. I can't think of anyone else on the planet currently capable of doing that. Is this a good thing for the US and for the West in general or is it a sign that democracy is now being shaken to the roots? Answers on a postcard! NB Buy my new paperback spy thriller, AGENT REDRUTH, from Amazon or all good bookshops.